Belmont Shore Salon Owner Charged with Molestation

A Belmont Shore parent and hair salon owner has been arrested on charges of child sexual molestation and remains jailed, Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office spokesperson Sandi Gibbons confirmed Wednesday.

William "Billy" Burch, 43, of Long Beach, was arrested at about 4 p.m. Feb. 24 by officers who responded to a report that a man was harassing a child at Stearns Park, according to Police Sgt. Aaron Eaton. Burch posted bail in connection with that incident, but was arrested again Feb. 28 on other charges, according to Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department inmate records.

According to the District Attorney's office, Burch was charged with one count of oral copulation or sexual penetration of a child under the age of 10, one count of using a minor for sex acts, and one misdemeanor count of child molestation or child annoying. He is currently being held on $2 million bail.

Gibbons said the first two charges stem from an alleged incident that took place on Oct. 25 with a girl victim under 10 years of age. The misdemeanor charge also involves a second alleged girl victim. The investigation is ongoing.

Burch was scheduled to appear in court for a hearing on Monday. It was not immediately clear what transpired. However, according to inmate records, Burch's next appearance is scheduled for Thursday morning in Long Beach Superior Court.

Attempts to locate Burch's attorney were unsuccessful. 

In an attempt to reach a representative for Burch, Patch called his home Tuesday. A woman who answered the phone at the Burch residence identified herself as Burch's mother and pleaded for fairness.

"Be considerate to him. This is all I'm gonna say: He's a great guy," she said.

The charges against Burch, who owns D'Lish Salon on Argonne Avenue in Belmont Shore and who has been a room parent at Lowell Elementary, have alarmed some in the school, Little League community, and neighborhood.

Burch was an active volunteer at his child's school classes in Belmont Shore. Some parents praised him. 

"I believe," said one parent, "that people think he is great."

Long Beach Police said anyone who has been a victim of a sex crime and who has not reported the incident to police should contact Sex Crimes Detail Detective Jennifer Kearns at 562-570-5514.

Anonymous tips can be submitted to 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or by texting TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit www.LACrimeStoppers.org.

Sara Fay also contributed to this report.